6H-furo[2,3-E]indole compounds for the treatment of hepatitis C

ABSTRACT

Compounds of Formula I, including their salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds are set forth. The compounds have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and may be useful in treating those infected with HCV.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/968,747 filed Mar. 21, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to novel compounds, including their salts, which have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and which are useful in treating those infected with HCV. The invention also relates to compositions containing these compounds, as well as to methods of making and using these compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major human pathogen, infecting an estimated 170 million persons worldwide—roughly five times the number infected by human immunodeficiency virus type 1. A substantial fraction of these HCV infected individuals develop serious progressive liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (Lauer, G. M.; Walker, B. D. N. Engl. J. Med. 2001, 345, 41-52).

HCV is a positive-stranded RNA virus. Based on a comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence and the extensive similarity in the 5′-untranslated region, HCV has been classified as a separate genus in the Flaviviridae family. All members of the Flaviviridae family have enveloped virions that contain a positive stranded RNA genome encoding all known virus-specific proteins via translation of a single, uninterrupted, open reading frame.

Considerable heterogeneity is found within the nucleotide and encoded amino acid sequence throughout the HCV genome. At least six major genotypes have been characterized, and more than 50 subtypes have been described. The major genotypes of HCV differ in their distribution worldwide, and the clinical significance of the genetic heterogeneity of HCV remains elusive despite numerous studies of the possible effect of genotypes on pathogenesis and therapy.

The single strand HCV RNA genome is approximately 9500 nucleotides in length and has a single open reading frame (ORF) encoding a single large polyprotein of about 3000 amino acids. In infected cells, this polyprotein is cleaved at multiple sites by cellular and viral proteases to produce the structural and non-structural (NS) proteins. In the case of HCV, the generation of mature non-structural proteins (NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B) is effected by two viral proteases. The first one is believed to be a metalloprotease and cleaves at the NS2-NS3 junction; the second one is a serine protease contained within the N-terminal region of NS3 (also referred to as NS3 protease) and mediates all the subsequent cleavages downstream of NS3, both in cis, at the NS3-NS4A cleavage site, and in trans, for the remaining NS4A-NS4B, NS4B-NS5A, NS5A-NS5B sites. The NS4A protein appears to serve multiple functions, acting as a cofactor for the NS3 protease and possibly assisting in the membrane localization of NS3 and other viral replicase components. The complex formation of the NS3 protein with NS4A seems necessary to the processing events, enhancing the proteolytic efficiency at all of the sites. The NS3 protein also exhibits nucleoside triphosphatase and RNA helicase activities. NS5B (also referred to as HCV polymerase) is a RNA-dependent RNA polymerase that is involved in the replication of HCV. The HCV NS5B protein is described in “Structural Analysis of the Hepatitis C Virus RNA Polymerase in Complex with Ribonucleotides (Bressanelli; S. et al., Journal of Virology 2002, 3482-3492; and Defrancesco and Rice, Clinics in Liver Disease 2003, 7, 211-242.

Currently, the most effective HCV therapy employs a combination of alpha-interferon and ribavirin, leading to sustained efficacy in 40% of patients (Poynard, T. et al. Lancet 1998, 352, 1426-1432). Recent clinical results demonstrate that pegylated alpha-interferon is superior to unmodified alpha-interferon as monotherapy (Zeuzem, S. et al. N. Engl. J. Med. 2000, 343, 1666-1672). However, even with experimental therapeutic regimens involving combinations of pegylated alpha-interferon and ribavirin, a substantial fraction of patients do not have a sustained reduction in viral load. Thus, there is a clear and important need to develop effective therapeutics for treatment of HCV infection.

HCV-796, an HCV NS5B inhibitor, has shown an ability to reduce HCV RNA levels in patients. The viral RNA levels decreased transiently and then rebounded during dosing when treatment was with the compound as a single agent but levels dropped more robustly when combined with the standard of care which is a form of interferon and ribavirin. The development of this compound was suspended due to hepatic toxicity observed during extended dosing of the combination regimens. U.S. Pat. No. 7,265,152 and the corresponding PCT patent application WO2004/041201 describe compounds of the HCV-796 class. Other compounds have been disclosed; see for example, WO2009/101022, as well as WO 2012/058125.

What is therefore needed in the art are additional compounds which are novel and effective against hepatitis C. Additionally, these compounds should provide advantages for pharmaceutical uses, for example, with regard to one or more of their mechanism of action, binding, inhibition efficacy, target selectivity, solubility, safety profiles, and/or bioavailability. Also needed are new formulations and methods of treatment which utilize these compounds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is a compound of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:

wherein A is

or —OR; R is alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cyclokenyl or alkynl; m is 0 or 1; R⁰, R¹ is each independently methyl or ethyl; R² is phenyl that is independently substituted with 0-2 halo or methoxy, or is para substituted with W—Ar¹; W is —O— or —NH—; Ar¹ is phenyl or para-halophenyl; R³ is hydrogen, halo, or alkyl; R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ are independently selected from the group of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, halocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxycycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycycloalkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyloxy, Ar², COOR¹⁰¹ and CON(R¹⁰²)(R¹⁰³); R¹⁰¹ is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, and haloalkoxy; R¹⁰², R¹⁰³ are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl alkynyl, cyclic ether, cyclic amine, lactame, fused bicyclic alkyl, bridged bicyclic alkyl, spiro bicyclic alkyl, fused bicyclic ether, bridged bicyclic ether, spiro bicyclic ether, fused bicyclic amine, bridged bicyclic amine and spiro bicyclic amine, with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of halo, OH, OR¹⁰⁴, NH₂, NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, COOR¹⁰⁴, CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, S(O)₂R¹⁰⁴, S(O)₂NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, NR¹⁰⁴CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, OR¹⁰⁴CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, C(═NR¹⁰⁷)NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, NR¹⁰⁸C(═NR¹⁰⁷)NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, haloalkoxy, Ar², O—Ar², and NR¹⁰⁵—Ar²; or R¹⁰² and R¹⁰³ can form a ring by joining two atoms, one from each of R¹⁰² and R¹⁰³; or R¹⁰² and R¹⁰³ can form a bicyclic or tricyclic ring by joining multiple atoms from each of R¹⁰² and R¹⁰³; Ar² is phenyl, 5-membered heterocyclic or 6-membered heterocyclic (aromatic or nonaromatic) ring, and is substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of cyano, halo, alkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, OH, OR¹⁰⁴, haloalkoxy, NH₂, NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, COOR¹⁰⁴, CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, S(O)₂R¹⁰⁴, S(O)₂NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, and NR¹⁰⁴CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶; R¹⁰⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, and haloalkoxy; R¹⁰⁵, R¹⁰⁶ are each independently hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, and haloalkoxy; or R¹⁰⁵ and R¹⁰⁶ can form a ring by joining two atoms, one from each of R¹⁰⁵ and R¹⁰⁶; R¹⁰⁷, R¹⁰⁸ are each independently hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, and haloalkoxy; or R¹⁰⁷ and R¹⁰⁸ can form a ring by joining two atoms, one from each of R¹⁰⁷ and R¹⁰⁸; R⁹ is hydrogen, R²⁰¹, COR²⁰¹ or SO₂R²⁰¹; R²⁰¹ is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, phenyl and heterocyclic; R¹⁰, R¹¹ are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, ester, amide, 2-keto acid, 2-keto ester, 2-keto amide, phenyl and heterocyclic, with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, ester, amide, oxalate, oxalamide, phenyl and heterocyclic.

The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula 1, including a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient and/or diluent.

In addition, the invention provides one or more methods of treating hepatitis C infection comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I to a patient.

Also provided as part of the invention are one or more methods for making the compounds of Formula I.

The present invention is directed to these, as well as other important ends, hereinafter described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless otherwise specifically set forth elsewhere in the application, the following terms may be used herein and shall have the following meanings: “Hydrogen” or “H” refers to hydrogen, including its isotopes, such as deuterium, which may be labeled herein as “D”. “Halo” means fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo. “Alkyl” means a straight or branched alkyl group composed of 1 to 6 carbons. “Alkenyl” means a straight or branched alkyl group composed of 2 to 6 carbons with at least one double bond. “Cycloalkyl” means a monocyclic ring system composed of 3 to 7 carbons. “Hydroxyalkyl,” “alkoxy” and other terms with a substituted alkyl moiety include straight and branched isomers composed of 1 to 6 carbon atoms for the alkyl moiety. “Halo” includes all halogenated isomers from monohalo substituted to perhalo substituted in substituents defined with halo, for example, “Haloalkyl” and “haloalkoxy”, “halophenyl”, “halophenoxy.” “Aryl” means a monocyclic or bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon groups having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, or a bicyclic fused ring system wherein one or both of the rings is a phenyl group. Bicyclic fused ring systems consist of a phenyl group fused to a four- to six-membered aromatic or non-aromatic carbocyclic ring. Representative examples of aryl groups include, but are not limited to, indanyl, indenyl, naphthyl, phenyl, and tetrahydronaphthyl. “Heteroaryl” means a 5 to 7 membered monocyclic or 8 to 11 membered bicyclic aromatic ring system with 1-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. Parenthetic and multiparenthetic terms are intended to clarify bonding relationships to those skilled in the art. For example, a term such as ((R)alkyl) means an alkyl substituent further substituted with the substituent R. Substituents which are illustrated by chemical drawing to bond at variable positions on a multiple ring system (for example a bicyclic ring system) are intended to bond to the ring where they are drawn to append.

The invention includes all pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms of the compounds. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are those in which the counter ions do not contribute significantly to the physiological activity or toxicity of the compounds and as such function as pharmacological equivalents. These salts can be made according to common organic techniques employing commercially available reagents. Some anionic salt forms include acetate, acistrate, besylate, bromide, camsylate, chloride, citrate, fumarate, glucouronate, hydrobromide, hydrochloride, hydroiodide, iodide, lactate, maleate, mesylate, nitrate, pamoate, phosphate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, tosylate, and xinofoate. Some cationic salt forms include ammonium, aluminum, benzathine, bismuth, calcium, choline, diethylamine, diethanolamine, lithium, magnesium, meglumine, 4-phenylcyclohexylamine, piperazine, potassium, sodium, tromethamine, and zinc.

Some of the compounds of the invention possess asymmetric carbon atoms. The invention includes all stereoisomeric forms, including enantiomers and diastereomers as well as mixtures of stereoisomers such as racemates. Some stereoisomers can be made using methods known in the art. Stereoisomeric mixtures of the compounds and related intermediates can be separated into individual isomers according to methods commonly known in the art. The use of wedges or hashes in the depictions of molecular structures in the following schemes and tables is intended only to indicate relative stereochemistry, and should not be interpreted as implying absolute stereochemical assignments.

The invention is intended to include all isotopes of atoms occurring in the present compounds. Isotopes include those atoms having the same atomic number but different mass numbers. By way of general example and without limitation, isotopes of hydrogen include deuterium and tritium. Isotopes of carbon include ¹³C and ¹⁴C. Isotopically-labeled compounds of the invention can generally be prepared by conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art or by processes analogous to those described herein, using an appropriate isotopically-labeled reagent in place of the non-labeled reagent otherwise employed. Such compounds may have a variety of potential uses, for example as standards and reagents in determining biological activity. In the case of stable isotopes, such compounds may have the potential to favorably modify biological, pharmacological, or pharmacokinetic properties.

The invention is also intended to encompass prodrugs of the compounds herein.

As set forth above, the invention is directed to one or more compounds of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:

wherein A is

or —OR; R is alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cyclokenyl or alkynl; m is 0 or 1; R⁰, R¹ is each independently methyl or ethyl; R² is phenyl that is independently substituted with 0-2 halo or methoxy or is para substituted with W—Ar¹; W is —O— or —NH—; Ar¹ is phenyl or para-halophenyl; R³ is hydrogen, halo, or alkyl; R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ are independently selected from the group of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, halocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxycycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycycloalkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyloxy, Ar², COOR¹⁰¹ and CON(R¹⁰²)(R¹⁰³); R¹⁰¹ is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, and haloalkoxy; R¹⁰², R¹⁰³ are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl alkynyl, cyclic ether, cyclic amine, lactame, fused bicyclic alkyl, bridged bicyclic alkyl, spiro bicyclic alkyl, fused bicyclic ether, bridged bicyclic ether, spiro bicyclic ether, fused bicyclic amine, bridged bicyclic amine and spiro bicyclic amine, with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of halo, OH, OR¹⁰⁴, NH₂, NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, COOR¹⁰⁴, CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, S(O)₂R¹⁰⁴, S(O)₂NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, NR¹⁰⁴CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, OR¹⁰⁴CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, C(═NR¹⁰⁷)NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, NR¹⁰⁸C(═NR¹⁰⁷)NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, haloalkoxy, Ar², O—Ar², and NR¹⁰⁵—Ar²; or R¹⁰² and R¹⁰³ can form a ring by joining two atoms, one from each of R¹⁰² and R¹⁰³; or R¹⁰² and R¹⁰³ can form a bicyclic or tricyclic ring by joining multiple atoms from each of R¹⁰² and R¹⁰³; Ar² is phenyl, 5-membered heterocyclic or 6-membered heterocyclic (aromatic or nonaromatic) ring, and is substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of cyano, halo, alkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, OH, OR¹⁰⁴, haloalkoxy, NH₂, NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, COOR¹⁰⁴, CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, S(O)₂R¹⁰⁴, S(O)₂NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, and NR¹⁰⁴CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶; R¹⁰⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, and haloalkoxy; R¹⁰⁵, R¹⁰⁶ are each independently hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, and haloalkoxy; or R¹⁰⁵ and R¹⁰⁶ can form a ring by joining two atoms, one from each of R¹⁰⁵ and R¹⁰⁶; R¹⁰⁷, R¹⁰⁸ are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl and cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, and haloalkoxy; or R¹⁰⁷ and R¹⁰⁸ can form a ring by joining two atoms, one from each of R¹⁰⁷ and R¹⁰⁸; R⁹ is hydrogen, R²⁰¹, COR²⁰¹ or SO₂R²⁰¹; R²⁰¹ is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, phenyl and heterocyclic; R¹⁰, R¹¹ are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, ester, amide, 2-keto acid, 2-keto ester, 2-keto amide, phenyl and heterocyclic, with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, ester, amide, oxalate, oxalamide, phenyl and heterocyclic

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, m is 0.

Also preferred is the embodiment wherein R² is phenyl which is substituted with one halo group, more preferably a fluoro group.

It is also preferred that R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ are each independently selected from the group of COOR¹⁰¹ and CON(R¹⁰²)(R¹⁰³). More preferably, R⁷ is selected from the group of COOR¹⁰¹ and CON(R¹⁰²)(R¹⁰³).

Additionally, it is preferred that R¹⁰², R¹⁰³ are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, and haloalkyl.

In certain embodiments it is also preferred that R⁹ is SO₂R²⁰¹.

In another embodiment, it is preferred that m is 0, R² is phenyl which is substituted with one fluoro group, and R⁷ is CON(R¹⁰²)(R¹⁰³).

Also preferred are compounds, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which are selected from the group of:

Additionally preferred are compounds, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which are selected from the group of:

Pharmaceutical Compositions and Methods of Treatment

The compounds according to the various embodiments herein set forth demonstrate activity against HCV NS5B, and can be useful in treating HCV and HCV infection. Therefore, another aspect of the invention is a composition comprising a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient and/or diluent.

Another aspect of the invention is a composition further comprising an additional compound having anti-HCV activity.

Another aspect of the invention is a composition where the compound having anti-HCV activity is an interferon or a ribavirin. Another aspect of the invention is wherein the interferon is selected from the group of interferon alpha 2B, pegylated interferon alpha, consensus interferon, interferon alpha 2A, interferon lambda, and lymphoblastoid interferon tau.

Another aspect of the invention is a composition where the compound having anti-HCV activity is a cyclosporin. Another aspect of the invention is where the cyclosporin is cyclosporin A.

Another aspect of the invention is a composition where the compound having anti-HCV activity is selected from the group of interleukin 2, interleukin 6, interleukin 12, a compound that enhances the development of a type 1 helper T cell response, interfering RNA, anti-sense RNA, Imiqimod, ribavirin, an inosine 5′-monophospate dehydrogenase inhibitor, amantadine, and rimantadine.

Another aspect of the invention is a composition where the compound having anti-HCV activity is effective to inhibit the function of a target selected from the group of HCV metalloprotease, HCV serine protease, HCV polymerase, HCV helicase, HCV NS4B protein, HCV entry, HCV assembly, HCV egress, HCV NS5A protein, IMPDH, and a nucleoside analog for the treatment of an HCV infection.

Another aspect of the invention is a composition comprising a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipent and/or diluent, an interferon and ribavirin.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of inhibiting the function of the HCV replicon comprising contacting the HCV replicon with a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of inhibiting the function of the HCV NS5B protein comprising contacting the HCV NS5B protein with a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of treating an HCV infection in a patient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In another embodiment the compound is effective to inhibit the function of the HCV replicon. In another embodiment the compound is effective to inhibit the function of the HCV NS5B protein.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of treating an HCV infection in a patient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in conjunction with (prior to, after, or concurrently) another compound having anti-HCV activity.

Another aspect of the invention is the method wherein the other compound having anti-HCV activity is an interferon or a ribavirin.

Another aspect of the invention is the method where the interferon is selected from the group of interferon alpha 2B, pegylated interferon alpha, consensus interferon, interferon alpha 2A, interferon lambda, and lymphoblastoid interferon tau.

Another aspect of the invention is the method where the other compound having anti-HCV activity is a cyclosporin.

Another aspect of the invention is the method where the cyclosporin is cyclosporin A.

Another aspect of the invention is the method where the other compound having anti-HCV activity is selected from the group of interleukin 2, interleukin 6, interleukin 12, a compound that enhances the development of a type 1 helper T cell response, interfering RNA, anti-sense RNA, Imiqimod, ribavirin, an inosine 5′-monophospate dehydrogenase inhibitor, amantadine, and rimantadine.

Another aspect of the invention is the method wherein the other compound having anti-HCV activity is effective to inhibit the function of a target selected from the group of HCV metalloprotease, HCV serine protease, HCV polymerase, HCV helicase, HCV NS4B protein, HCV entry, HCV assembly, HCV egress, HCV NS5A protein, IMPDH, and a nucleoside analog for the treatment of an HCV infection.

Another aspect of the invention is the method wherein the other compound having anti-HCV activity is effective to inhibit the function of target in the HCV life cycle other than the HCV NS5B protein.

“Therapeutically effective” means the amount of agent required to provide a meaningful patient benefit as understood by practitioners in the field of hepatitis and HCV infection.

“Patient” means a person infected with the HCV virus and suitable for therapy as understood by practitioners in the field of hepatitis and HCV infection.

“Treatment,” “therapy,” “regimen,” “HCV infection,” and related terms are used as understood by practitioners in the field of hepatitis and HCV infection.

The compounds of this invention are generally given as pharmaceutical compositions comprised of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and may contain conventional excipients. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are those conventionally known carriers having acceptable safety profiles. Compositions encompass all common solid and liquid forms including for example capsules, tablets, lozenges, and powders as well as liquid suspensions, syrups, elixers, and solutions. Compositions are made using common formulation techniques, and conventional excipients (such as binding and wetting agents) and vehicles (such as water and alcohols) are generally used for compositions. See, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 17th edition, 1985.

Solid compositions are normally formulated in dosage units and compositions providing from about 1 to 1000 mg of the active ingredient per dose are preferred. Some examples of dosages are 1 mg, 10 mg, 100 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg, and 1000 mg. Generally, other agents will be present in a unit range similar to agents of that class used clinically. Typically, this is about 0.25-1000 mg/unit.

Liquid compositions are usually in dosage unit ranges. Generally, the liquid composition will be in a unit dosage range of about 1-100 mg/mL. Some examples of dosages are 1 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, and 100 mg/mL. Generally, other agents will be present in a unit range similar to agents of that class used clinically. Typically, this is about 1-100 mg/mL.

The invention encompasses all conventional modes of administration; oral and parenteral methods are preferred. Generally, the dosing regimen will be similar to other agents used clinically. Typically, the daily dose will be about 1-100 mg/kg body weight daily. Generally, more compound is required orally and less parenterally. The specific dosing regimen, however, will be determined by a physician using sound medical judgment.

The invention also encompasses methods where the compound is given in combination therapy. That is, the compound can be used in conjunction with, but separately from, other agents useful in treating hepatitis and HCV infection. In these combination methods, the compound will generally be given in a daily dose of about 1-100 mg/kg body weight daily in conjunction with other agents. The other agents generally will be given in the amounts used therapeutically. The specific dosing regimen, however, will be determined by a physician using sound medical judgment.

Some non-limiting examples of compounds suitable for compositions and methods according to the invention are listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Physiolog- Type of Inhibitor Brand Name ical Class or Target Source Company NIM811 Cyclophilin Novartis Inhibitor Zadaxin Immuno- Sciclone modulator Suvus Methylene blue Bioenvision Actilon TLR9 agonist Coley (CPG10101) Batabulin Anticancer β-tubulin Tularik Inc., South (T67) inhibitor San Francisco, CA ISIS 14803 Antiviral antisense ISIS Pharmaceuticals Inc, Carlsbad, CA/Elan Phamaceuticals Inc., New York, NY Summetrel Antiviral antiviral Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc., Chadds Ford, PA GS-9132 Antiviral HCV Achillion/Gilead (ACH-806) Inhibitor Pyrazolo- Antiviral HCV Arrow Therapeutics pyrimidine Inhibitors Ltd. compounds and salts From WO- 2005047288 26 May 2005 Levovirin Antiviral IMPDH Ribapharm Inc., inhibitor Costa Mesa, CA Merimepodib Antiviral IMPDH Vertex (VX-497) inhibitor Pharmaceuticals Inc., Cambridge, MA XTL-6865 Antiviral monoclonal XTL Bio- (XTL-002) antibody pharmaceuticals Ltd., Rehovot, Israel Telaprevir Antiviral NS3 Vertex (VX-950, serine protease Pharmaceuticals LY-570310) inhibitor Inc., Cambridge, MA/Eli Lilly and Co. Inc., Indianapolis, IN HCV-796 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Wyeth/Viropharma Inhibitor NM-283 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Idenix/Novartis Inhibitor GL-59728 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Gene Labs/ Inhibitor Novartis GL-60667 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Gene Labs/ Inhibitor Novartis 2′C MeA Antiviral NS5B Replicase Gilead Inhibitor PSI 6130 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Roche Inhibitor R1626 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Roche Inhibitor 2′C Methyl Antiviral NS5B Replicase Merck adenosine Inhibitor JTK-003 Antiviral RdRp Japan Tobacco Inc., inhibitor Tokyo, Japan Levovirin Antiviral ribavirin ICN Pharmaceuticals, Costa Mesa, CA Ribavirin Antiviral ribavirin Schering-Plough Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ Viramidine Antiviral Ribavirin Ribapharm Inc., Prodrug Costa Mesa, CA Heptazyme Antiviral ribozyme Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals Inc., Boulder, CO BILN-2061 Antiviral serine protease Boehringer inhibitor Ingelheim Pharma KG, Ingelheim, Germany SCH 503034 Antiviral serine protease Schering Plough inhibitor Zadazim Immune Immune SciClone modulator modulator Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Mateo, CA Ceplene Immuno- immune Maxim modulator modulator Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Diego, CA CellCept Immuno- HCV IgG F. Hoffmann-La suppressant immuno- Roche LTD, Basel, suppressant Switzerland Civacir Immuno- HCV IgG Nabi Bio- suppressant immuno- pharmaceuticals suppressant Inc., Boca Raton, FL Albuferon - α Interferon albumin Human Genome IFN-α2b Sciences Inc., Rockville, MD Infergen A Interferon IFN InterMune alfacon-1 Pharmaceuticals Inc., Brisbane, CA Omega IFN Interferon IFN-ω Intarcia Therapeutics IFN-β and Interferon IFN-β and Transition EMZ701 EMZ701 Therapeutics Inc., Ontario, Canada Rebif Interferon IFN-β1a Serono, Geneva, Switzerland Roferon A Interferon IFN-α2a F. Hoffmann-La Roche LTD, Basel, Switzerland Intron A Interferon IFN-α2b Schering-Plough Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ Intron A Interferon IFN-α2b/ RegeneRx and α1-thymosin Biopharma. Inc., Zadaxin Bethesda, MD/ SciClone Pharmaceuticals Inc, San Mateo, CA Rebetron Interferon IFN-α2b/ Schering-Plough ribavirin Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ Actimmune Interferon INF-γ InterMune Inc., Brisbane, CA Interferon-β Interferon Interferon-β-1a Serono Multiferon Interferon Long lasting Viragen/ IFN Valentis Wellferon Interferon Lympho-blastoid GlaxoSmithKline IFN-αn1 plc, Uxbridge, UK Omniferon Interferon natural IFN-α Viragen Inc., Plantation, FL Pegasys Interferon PEGylated F. Hoffmann-La IFN-α2a Roche LTD, Basel, Switzerland Pegasys and Interferon PEGylated Maxim Ceplene IFN-α2a/ Pharmaceuticals immune Inc., San Diego, CA modulator Pegasys and Interferon PEGylated F. Hoffmann-La Ribavirin IFN-α2a/ Roche LTD, Basel, ribavirin Switzerland PEG-Intron Interferon PEGylated Schering-Plough IFN-α2b Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ PEG-Intron/ Interferon PEGylated Schering-Plough Ribavirin IFN-α2b/ Corporation, ribavirin Kenilworth, NJ IP-501 Liver antifibrotic Indevus protection Pharmaceuticals Inc., Lexington, MA IDN-6556 Liver caspase Idun protection inhibitor Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Diego, CA ITMN-191 Antiviral serine protease InterMune (R-7227) inhibitor Pharmaceuticals Inc., Brisbane, CA GL-59728 Antiviral NS5B Replicase Genelabs Inhibitor ANA-971 Antiviral TLR-7 agonist Anadys Boceprevir Antiviral serine protease Schering Plough inhibitor TMS-435 Antiviral serine protease Tibotec BVBA, inhibitor Mechelen, Belgium BI-201335 Antiviral serine protease Boehringer inhibitor Ingelheim Pharma KG, Ingelheim, Germany MK-7009 Antiviral serine protease Merck inhibitor PF-00868554 Antiviral replicase Pfizer inhibitor ANA598 Antiviral Non-Nucleoside Anadys NS5B Polymerase Pharmaceuticals, Inhibitor Inc., San Diego, CA, USA IDX375 Antiviral Non-Nucleoside Idenix Replicase Pharmaceuticals, Inhibitor Cambridge, MA, USA BILB 1941 Antiviral NS5B Polymerase Boehringer Inhibitor Ingelheim Canada Ltd R&D, Laval, QC, Canada PSI-7851 Antiviral Nucleoside Pharmasset, Polymerase Princeton, NJ, USA Inhibitor PSI-7977 Antiviral Nucleotide NS5B Pharmasset, Polymerase Princeton, NJ, USA Inhibitor VCH-759 Antiviral NS5B Polymerase ViroChem Pharma Inhibitor VCH-916 Antiviral NS5B Polymerase ViroChem Pharma Inhibitor GS-9190 Antiviral NS5B Polymerase Gilead Inhibitor Peg-interferon Antiviral Interferon ZymoGenetics/Bristol- lambda Myers Squibb

Synthesis Methods

The compounds may be made by methods available in the art, as well as those described below. Some reagents and intermediates are available in the art. Other reagents and intermediates can be made by methods available in the art using commercially available materials. The variables (e.g. numbered “R” substituents) used to describe the synthesis of the compounds are intended only to illustrate how to make and are not to be confused with variables used in the claims or in other sections of the specification. Abbreviations used within the schemes generally follow conventions used in the art.

Abbreviations used in the schemes generally follow conventions used in the art. Chemical abbreviations used in the specification and examples are defined as follows: “NaHMDS” for sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide; “DMF” for N,N-dimethylformamide; “MeOH” for methanol; “NBS” for N-bromosuccinimide; “Ar” for aryl; “TFA” for trifluoroacetic acid; “LAH” for lithium aluminum hydride; “DMSO” for dimethylsulfoxide; “h” for hours; “rt” for room temperature or retention time (context will dictate); “min” for minutes; “EtOAc” for ethyl acetate; “THF” for tetrahydrofuran; “EDTA” for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; “Et₂O” for diethyl ether; “DMAP” for 4-dimethylaminopyridine; “DCE” for 1,2-dichloroethane; “ACN” for acetonitrile; “DME” for 1,2-dimethoxyethane; “HOBt” for 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate; “DIEA” for diisopropylethylamine.

For the section of compounds in the 0000 series all Liquid Chromatography (LC) data were recorded on a Shimadzu LC-10AS or LC-20AS liquid chromotograph using a SPD-10AV or SPD-20A UV-Vis detector and Mass Spectrometry (MS) data were determined with a Micromass Platform for LC in electrospray mode.

HPLC Method (i.e., Compound Isolation).

Compounds purified by preparative HPLC were diluted in methanol (1.2 mL) and purified using a Shimadzu LC-8A or LC-10A or Dionex APS-3000 or Waters Acquity™ automated preparative HPLC system.

Examples

Preparation of Compounds 1001, 1003-1008:

To a solution of ethyl 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-isopropoxy-6-nitrobenzofuran-3-carboxylate (30 mg) in THF (5 mL) was added vinylmagnesium bromide (71.2 mg) slowly at −78° C. The mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 30 minutes then at −40° C. for 4 hours. The reaction was quenched with saturated NH₄Cl aqueous solution and extracted with EtOAc (2×25 mL). The organic was combined, washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated to give a residue which was purified by preparative HPLC system to afford compound 1001.

1001 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 382.1 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 382.1 Retention Time 1.69 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN:95% Water:10 mM Ammonium Actetate Solvent B 95% ACN:5% Water:10 mM Ammonium Actetate Start % B 40 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN:Water:Ammonium Actetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30 × 2, 3 u

Compound 1003 was prepared via the same procedure toward compound 1001, using methyl 3-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(methylcarbamoyl)-6-nitrobenzofuran-5-yl)benzoate as the starting material.

1003 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 443.1 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 443.0 Retention Time 1.90 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water −10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water −90% Methano1-0.1% TFA Start % B  30   Final % B 100   Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220   Solvent Pair Water-Methanol-TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 ± 30 mm 3 um

Compound 1004 was prepared via the same procedure toward compound 1001, using tert-butyl 3-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(methylcarbamoyl)-6-nitrobenzofuran-5-yl)benzoate as the starting material.

1004 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 485.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 485.2 Retention Time 1.89 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 50 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 x 30 mm 3 um

Compounds 1005, 1006, 1007 and 1008 were prepared via the same procedure toward compound 1001, using 5-(3-(tert-butylcarbamoyl)phenyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-6-nitrobenzofuran-3-carboxamide as one of the starting materials. The other starting materials were the corresponding Grinard agents.

LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 50 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 x 30 mm 3 um

1005 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 484.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 484.1 Retention Time 1.72 min

1006 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 498.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 498.1 Retention Time 1.80 min

1007 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 560.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 560.2 Retention Time 2.16 min

1008 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 498.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 498.1 Retention Time 1.84 min

Compound 1009 was prepared via the same procedure toward compound 1001, using 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(3-((2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutyl)carbamoyl)-4-methoxyphenyl)-N-methyl-6-nitrobenzofuran-3-carboxamide as one of the starting material.

1009 MS (M − H)⁺ Calcd. 638.1 MS (M − H)⁺ Observ. 638.4 Retention Time 1.96 min LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN: 95% Water: 10 mM Ammonium Actetate Solvent B 95% ACN: 5% Water: 10 mM Ammonium Actetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN: Water: Ammonium Actetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30x2, 3 u Preparation of Compound 1002:

To a solution of ethyl 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-isopropoxy-6H-furo[2,3-e]indole-3-carboxylate (30 mg) in ethanol (1.5 mL) was added methanamine (3 mL, 40% in water). The mixture was heated at 80° C. for 16 hours. All the solvents were removed under vacuum to give a residue which was purified by preparative HPLC system.

1002 MS (M + H )⁺ Calcd. 367.1 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 367.1 Retention Time 1.27 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 50 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um Preparation of Compound 2001:

Step 1: To a suspension of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-isopropoxy-N-methyl-6H-furo[2,3-e]indole-3-carboxamide (60 mg) in ether (5 mL) was added oxalyl dichloride (0.246 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. All the solvents were removed under vacuum. The residue was used as was.

Step 2: To a solution of 2-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-isopropoxy-3-(methylcarbamoyl)-6H-furo[2,3-e]indol-8-yl)-2-oxoacetyl chloride (20 mg) in THF (2 mL) was added methanamine hydrochloride (59.1 mg). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. All the solvents were removed under vacuum to give a residue which was purified by preparative HPLC system.

2001 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 452.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 452.2 Retention Time 1.64 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um Preparation of Compound 2002:

Step 1: To a suspension of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-isopropoxy-N-methyl-6H-furo[2,3-e]indole-3-carboxamide (60 mg) in ether (5 mL) was added oxalyl dichloride (0.246 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. All the solvents were removed under vacuum. The residue was used as was.

Step 2: To a solution of 2-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-isopropoxy-3-(methylcarbamoyl)-6H-furo[2,3-e]indol-8-yl)-2-oxoacetyl chloride (20 mg) in THF (2 mL) was added water (15.77 mg). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. All the solvents were removed under vacuum to give a residue which was purified by preparative HPLC system.

2002 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 439.1 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 439.1 Retention Time 1.44 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um Preparation of Compound 2003:

To a suspension of 5-(3-(tert-butylcarbamoyl)phenyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-6H-furo[2,3-e]indole-3-carboxamide (70 mg) in CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL) was added methyl 2-chloro-2-oxoacetate (70.9 mg). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 6 hours. The reaction was quenched with saturated NH₄Ac aqueous solution and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was washed with H₂O, brine, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated to give a residue which was purified by preparative HPLC system.

2003 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 570.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 570.2 Retention Time 2.12 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 10 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um Preparation of Compound 2004:

To a suspension of methyl 2-(5-(3-(tert-butylcarbamoyl)phenyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(methylcarbamoyl)-6H-furo[2,3-e]indol-8-yl)-2-oxoacetate (70 mg) in THF (6 mL) and water (2 mL) was added NaOH (0.49 mL, 1M). The mixture was heated at 80° C. for 6 hours. The mixture was acidified to pH˜5 and extracted with EtOAc (2×20 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine and concentrated to give compound 2004.

2004 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 556.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 556.3 Retention Time 1.26 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 50 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um Preparation of Compounds 2005, 2006 and 2007:

To a solution of 2-(5-(3-(tert-butylcarbamoyl)phenyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(methylcarbamoyl)-6H-furo[2,3-e]indol-8-yl)-2-oxoacetic acid (35 mg), methanamine hydrochloride (17.01 mg) and HCTU (31.3 mg) in DMF (1.5 mL) was added DIPEA (0.066 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The product 2005 was isolated by preparative HPLC system.

2005 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 569.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 569.3 Retention Time 1.36 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 50 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um

Compound 2006 was prepared via the same procedure towards 2005, using dimethylamine hydrochloride as the starting material.

2006 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 583.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 583.2 Retention Time 1.25 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 50 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 x 30 mm 3 um

Compound 2007 was prepared via the same procedure towards 2005, using aniline as the starting material.

2007 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 631.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 631.3 Retention Time 1.90 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 50 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 x 30 mm 3 um Preparation of Compounds 3001 and 3002:

TFA (1 mL) was added into a solution of tert-butyl 3-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(methylcarbamoyl)-6H-furo[2,3-e]indol-5-yl)benzoate in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The solvents were removed under vacuum and the residue was purified by preparative HPLC system to give compound 3001 and compound 3002.

3001 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 429.1 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 428.9 Retention Time 2.09 min 3002 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 525.1 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 524.9 Retention Time 2.31 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um Preparation of Compound 3003:

To a solution of 3-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(methylcarbamoyl)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)-6H-furo[2,3-e]indol-5-yl)benzoic acid (6 mg) and 2-methylpropan-2-amine (8.37 mg) in DMF (2 mL) was added HATU (6.53 mg) and DIPEA (0.016 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The mixture was purified by preparative HPLC system.

3003 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 580.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 580.1 Retention Time 2.16 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 30 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um Preparation of Compounds 4001-4022:

The typical procedure, preparation of compound 4001:

iPr₂NEt (0.25 mL) and HCTU (58 mg) were added into the solution of 3-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(methylcarbamoyl)-6H-furo[2,3-e]indol-5-yl)benzoic acid (30 mg) and 2,2-dimethylpropan-1-amine (12.2 mg) in DMF (2 mL). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours, and the product was isolated by using preparative HPLC system.

4001 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 498.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 498.0 Retention Time 2.34 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um

Compounds 4002-4022 were prepared via the same procedure towards compound 4001, using the corresponding amines as the starting materials. LC condition for compound 4002-4022 was the same for compound 4001.

MS MS Retention Cmpd (M + H)⁺ (M + H)⁺ Time # Structure Calcd. Observ. (min) 4002

494.2 494.0 2.30 4003

514.2 514.0 2.20 4004

528.2 528.0 2.22 4005

506.2 505.9 2.20 4006

546.2 546.0 2.18 4007

610.1 610.0 2.33 4008

514.2 514.0 2.12 4009

594.2 594.0 2.39 4010

580.2 580.0 2.38 4011

526.2 526.0 2.13 4012

540.2 540.0 2.13 4013

494.2 494.0 2.14 4014

493.3 493.1 2.23 4015

570.2 570.1 2.28 4016

560.2 560.1 2.40 4017

534.2 534.0 2.49 4018

522.2 522.0 2.19 4019

508.2 508.0 2.25 4020

569.2 569.0 2.17 4021

480.2 480.0 2.15 4022

495.2 495.1 2.16 Preparation of Compounds 5001, 5003-5006:

To a solution of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-isopropoxy-N-methyl-6H-furo[2,3-e]indole-3-carboxamide (20 mg) and NaH (4.37 mg) in THF (2 mL) was added methanesulfonyl chloride (12.51 mg). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction was quenched with aqueous NaHCO₃ solution and extracted with EtOAc (2×30 mL). The organic layers were combined, washed with brine and concentrated. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC system.

5001 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 445.1 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 445.1 Retention Time 1.48 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 50 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um

Compounds 5003-5005 were prepared via the same procedure towards compound 5001, using the corresponding furo[2,3-e]indoles as the starting materials.

LC Condition Solvent A 5% ACN: 95% Water: 10 mM Ammonium Actetate Solvent B 95% ACN: 5% Water: 10 mM Ammonium Actetate Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair ACN: Water: Ammonium Actetate Column Phenomenex LUNA C18, 30x2, 3 u

5003 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 576.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 576.4 Retention Time 1.86 min

5004 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 638.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 638.4 Retention Time 1.77 min

5005 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 576.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 576.4 Retention Time 1.65 min

Compound 5006 was prepared via the same procedure towards compound 5001, using the corresponding furo[2,3-e]indoles as the starting materials.

5006 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 658.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 658.2 Retention Time 2.36 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 x 30 mm 3 um Preparation of Compound 5002: Step 1:

To a solution of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-isopropoxy-N-methyl-6-(methylsulfonyl)-6H-furo[2,3-e]indole-3-carboxamide (18 mg) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) was added trichloroborane (0.12 mL) at −78° C. The mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 16 hours. The mixture was diluted with 20 mL of CH₂Cl₂ and washed with 5% NaHCO₃ aqueous solution, brine, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated to give 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-6-(methylsulfonyl)-6H-furo[2,3-e]indole-3-carboxamide.

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 403.1 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 403.0 Retention Time 1.87 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 10 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 x 30 mm 3 um Step 2:

To a solution of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-6-(methylsulfonyl)-6H-furo[2,3-e]indole-3-carboxamide (12 mg) and NEt₃ (0.025 mL) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) was added a solution of 1,1,1-trifluoro-N-phenyl-N-((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)methanesulfonamide (53.3 mg) in 1 mL of CH₂Cl₂ dropwise at 0° C. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour and then at room temperature for 2 days. The reaction was quenched with aqueous 5% NaHCO₃ solution and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL). The organic layer was washed with water, brine (5 mL), dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC system.

MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 535.0 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 535.0 Retention Time 2.02 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 10 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 x 30 mm 3 um Step 3:

To a mixture of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(methylcarbamoyl)-6-(methylsulfonyl)-6H-furo[2,3-e]indol-5-yl trifluoromethanesulfonate (4.2 mg), (3-(tert-butylcarbamoyl)phenyl)boronic acid (2.61 mg) and Cs₂CO₃ (7.68 mg) in dioxane (2 mL) and water (0.40 mL) was added Pd(PPh₃)₄ (1.36 mg). The mixture was flushed with nitrogen and then heated at 90° C. for 16 hours. The mixture was diluted with water and extracted with EtOAc (2×10 mL). The organic layers were combined, washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC system.

5002 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 562.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 562.2 Retention Time 2.13 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 10 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um Preparation of Compounds 6001:

To a solution of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-isopropoxy-N-methyl-6H-furo[2,3-e]indole-3-carboxamide (20 mg) and NaH (4.37 mg) in THF (2 mL) was added 2-bromo-1,1-difluoroethane (15.82 mg). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction was quenched with aqueous NaHCO₃ solution and extracted with EtOAc (2×30 mL). The organic layers were combined, washed with brine and concentrated. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC system.

6001 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 431.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 431.1 Retention Time 2.28 min LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um Preparation of Compounds 6002-6005:

NaH (92 mg, 60%) was added into a solution of EtI (358 mg) and 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-isopropoxy-N-methyl-6H-furo[2,3-e]indole-3-carboxamide (560 mg) in THF (10 mL). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 24 hour, before being quenched by MeOH. Then, products were isolated by preparative HPLC system.

LC Condition Solvent A 90% Water -10% Methanol-0.1% TFA Solvent B 10% Water -90% Methanol-0.1% TFA Start % B 0 Final % B 100 Gradient Time 2 min Flow Rate 1 mL/min Wavelength 220 Solvent Pair Water - Methanol- TFA Column PHENOMENEX-LUNA 2.0 × 30 mm 3 um 6002 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 395.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 395.1 Retention Time 2.27 min 6003 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 395.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 395.1 Retention Time 2.31 min 6004 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 423.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 423.2 Retention Time 2.46 min 6005 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 423.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 423.2 Retention Time 2.60 min Preparation of Compounds 6006 and 6007:

Compounds 6006 and 6007 were prepared via the same procedure towards compounds 6002-6005, using 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-5-(3-(neopentylcarbamoyl)phenyl)-6H-furo[2,3-e]indole-3-carboxamide as the starting materials. LC condition for 6006/6007 was the same as that for 6002-6005.

6006 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 526.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 526.2 Retention Time 2.48 min 6007 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 554.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 554.2 Retention Time 2.56 min Preparation of Compounds 6008 and 6009:

Compounds 6008 and 6009 were prepared via the same procedure towards compounds 6002-6005, using 5-(3-((2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methylpropyl)carbamoyl)phenyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-methyl-6H-furo[2,3-e]indole-3-carboxamide as the starting materials. LC condition for 6008/6009 was the same as that for 6002-6005.

6008 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 622.2 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 622.2 Retention Time 2.58 min 6009 MS (M + H)⁺ Calcd. 650.3 MS (M + H)⁺ Observ. 650.3 Retention Time 2.65 min

Biological Methods

The compound demonstrated activity against HCV NS5B as determined in the following HCV RdRp assays.

HCV NS5B RdRp Cloning, Expression, and Purification.

The cDNA encoding NS5B proteins of HCV genotype 1b (Con1), a genotype 1b variant with amino acid 316 mutated from cysteine to asparagine, and genotype 2a (JFH-1), were cloned into the pET21a expression vector. Each untagged protein was expressed with an 18 amino acid C-terminal truncation to enhance the solubility. The E. coli competent cell line BL21(DE3) was used for expression of the protein. Cultures were grown at 37° C. for ˜4 hours until the cultures reached an optical density of 2.0 at 600 nm. The cultures were cooled to 20° C. and induced with 1 mM IPTG. Fresh ampicillin was added to a final concentration of 50 μg/mL and the cells were grown overnight at 20° C.

Cell pellets (3 L) were lysed for purification to yield 15-24 mgs of purified NS5B. The lysis buffer consisted of 20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 500 mM NaCl, 0.5% triton X-100, 1 mM DTT, 1 mM EDTA, 20% glycerol, 0.5 mg/mL lysozyme, 10 mM MgCl₂, 15 ug/mL deoxyribonuclease I, and Complete™ protease inhibitor tablets (Roche). After addition of the lysis buffer, frozen cell pellets were resuspended using a tissue homogenizer. To reduce the viscosity of the sample, aliquots of the lysate were sonicated on ice using a microtip attached to a Branson sonicator. The sonicated lysate was centrifuged at 100,000×g for 30 minutes at 4° C. and filtered through a 0.2 μm filter unit (Corning).

The protein was purified using two sequential chromatography steps: Heparin sepharose CL-6B and polyU sepharose 4B. The chromatography buffers were identical to the lysis buffer but contained no lysozyme, deoxyribonuclease I, MgCl₂ or protease inhibitor and the NaCl concentration of the buffer was adjusted according to the requirements for charging the protein onto the column. Each column was eluted with a NaCl gradient which varied in length from 5-50 column volumes depending on the column type. After the final chromatography step, the resulting purity of the enzyme is >90% based on SDS-PAGE analysis. The enzyme was aliquoted and stored at −80° C.

HCV NS5B RdRp Enzyme Assay.

An on-bead solid phase homogeneous assay was used in a 384-well format to assess NS5B inhibitors (WangY-K, Rigat K, Roberts S, and Gao M (2006) Anal Biochem, 359: 106-111). The biotinylated oligo dT₁₂ primer was captured on streptavidin-coupled imaging beads (GE, RPNQ0261) by mixing primer and beads in 1× buffer and incubating at room temperature for three hours. Unbound primer was removed after centrifugation. The primer-bound beads were resuspended in 3× reaction mix (20 mM Hepes buffer, pH 7.5, dT primer coupled beads, poly A template, ³H-UTP, and RNAse inhibitor (Promega N2515)). Compounds were serially diluted 1:3 in DMSO and aliquoted into assay plates. Equal volumes (5 μL) of water, 3× reaction mix, and enzyme in 3× assay buffer (60 mM Hepes buffer, pH 7.5, 7.5 mM MgCl₂, 7.5 mM KCl, 3 mM DTT, 0.03 mg/mL BSA, 6% glycerol) were added to the diluted compound on the assay plate. Final concentration of components in 384-well assay: 0.36 nM template, 15 nM primer, 0.29 M ³H-UTP (0.3 μCi), 1.6 U/μL RNAse inhibitor, 7 nM NS5B enzyme, 0.01 mg/mL BSA, 1 mM DTT, and 0.33 μg/μL beads, 20 mM Hepes buffer, pH 7.5, 2.5 mM MgCl₂, 2.5 mM KCl, and 0.1% DMSO.

Reactions were allowed to proceed for 24 hours at 30° C. and terminated by the addition of 50 mM EDTA (5 μL). After incubating for at least 15 minutes, plates were read on an Amersham LEADseeker multimodality imaging system.

IC₅₀ values for compounds were determined using ten different [I]. IC₅₀ values were calculated from the inhibition using the four-parameter logistic formula y=A+((B−A)/(1+((C/x)^D))), where A and B denote minimal and maximal % inhibition, respectively, C is the IC₅₀, D is hill slope and x represents compound concentration.

Cell Lines.

The cell lines used to evaluate compounds consist of a human hepatocyte derived cell line (Huh-7) that constitutively expresses a genotype 1b (Con-1) HCV replicon or a genotype 1b (Con-1) HCV replicon with an asparagine replacing the cysteine at amino acid 316, or a genotype 2a (JFH-1) replicon, containing a Renilla luciferase reporter gene. These cells were maintained in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) containing 10% FBS, 100 U/mL penicillin/streptomycin and 1.0 mg/mL G418.

HCV Replicon Luciferase Assay.

To evaluate compound efficacy, titrated compounds were transferred to sterile 384-well tissue culture treated plates, and the plates were seeded with HCV replicon cells (50 μL at a density of 2.4×10³ cells/well) in DMEM containing 4% FBS (final DMSO concentration at 0.5%). After 3 days incubation at 37° C., cells were analyzed for Renilla Luciferase activity using the EnduRen substrate (Promega cat #E6485) according to the manufacturer's directions. Briefly, the EnduRen substrate was diluted in DMEM and then added to the plates to a final concentration of 7.5 μM. The plates were incubated for at least 1 h at 37° C. then read on a Viewlux Imager (PerkinElmer) using a luminescence program. The 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) was calculated using the four-parameter logistic formula noted above.

To assess cytotoxicity of compounds, Cell Titer-Blue (Promega) was added to the EnduRen-containing plates and incubated for at least 4 hrs at 37° C. The fluorescence signal from each well was read using a Viewlux Imager. All CC₅₀ values were calculated using the four-parameter logistic formula.

Compound EC₅₀ data is expressed as A: <100 nM; B=100-1000 nM; C>1000 nM). Representative data for compounds is reported in Table 2.

TABLE 2 EC₅₀ (uM) Cmpd# Structure 1b 1001

C 1002

C 1003

1.46  C 1004

B 1005

0.050 A 1006

0.51  B 1007

B 1008

B 1009

A 2001

C 2002

C 2003

0.44  B 2004

C 2005

5.16  C 2006

C 3001

C 3002

C 3003

0.20  B 4001

0.083 A 4002

A 4003

A 4004

A 4005

0.15  B 4006

A 4007

0.049 A 4008

0.13  B 4009

B 4010

0.027 A 4011

B 4012

B 4013

A 4014

A 4016

B 4017

B 4018

A 4019

B 4020

B 4021

B 4022

0.015 A 5001

C 5002

A 5003

C 5004

B 5005

C 5006

A 6001

C 6002

C 6003

C 6004

C 6005

C 6007

B

It will be evident to one skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing illustrative examples, and that it can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof. It is therefore desired that the examples be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing examples, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

We claim:
 1. A compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein A is

or —OR; R is alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cyclokenyl or alkynl; m is 0 or 1; R⁰, R¹ is methyl or ethyl; R² is phenyl that is independently substituted with 0-2 halo or methoxy or is para substituted with W—Ar¹; W is —O— or —NH—; Ar¹ is phenyl or para-halophenyl; R³ is hydrogen, halo, or alkyl; R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, halo, alkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, halocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxycycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycycloalkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyloxy, alkoxyalkyloxy, Ar², COOR¹⁰¹ and CON(R¹⁰²)(R¹⁰³); R¹⁰¹ is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, and haloalkoxy; R¹⁰², R¹⁰³ are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl alkynyl, cyclic ether, cyclic amine, lactame, fused bicyclic alkyl, bridged bicyclic alkyl, spiro bicyclic alkyl, fused bicyclic ether, bridged bicyclic ether, spiro bicyclic ether, fused bicyclic amine, bridged bicyclic amine and spiro bicyclic amine, with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of halo, OH, OR¹⁰⁴, NH₂, NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, COOR¹⁰⁴, CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, S(O)₂R¹⁰⁴, S(O)₂NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, NR¹⁰⁴CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, OR¹⁰⁴CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, C(═NR¹⁰⁷)NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, NR¹⁰⁸C(═NR¹⁰⁷)NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, haloalkoxy, Ar², O—Ar², and NR¹⁰⁵—Ar²; or R¹⁰² and R¹⁰³ can form a ring by joining two atoms, one from each of R¹⁰² and R¹⁰³; or R¹⁰² and R¹⁰³ can form a bicyclic or tricyclic ring by joining multiple atoms from each of R¹⁰² and R¹⁰³; Ar² is phenyl, 5-membered heterocyclic or 6-membered heterocyclic (aromatic or nonaromatic) ring, and is substituted with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of cyano, halo, alkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, OH, OR¹⁰⁴, haloalkoxy, NH₂, NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, COOR¹⁰⁴, CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, S(O)₂R¹⁰⁴, S(O)₂NR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶, and NR¹⁰⁴CONR¹⁰⁵R¹⁰⁶; R¹⁰⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, and haloalkoxy; R¹⁰⁵, R¹⁰⁶ are each independently hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, and haloalkoxy; or R¹⁰⁵ and R¹⁰⁶ can form a ring by joining two atoms, one from each of R¹⁰⁵ and R¹⁰⁶; R¹⁰⁷, R¹⁰⁸ are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, and haloalkoxy; or R¹⁰⁷ and R¹⁰⁸ can form a ring by joining two atoms, one from each of R¹⁰⁷ and R¹⁰⁸; R⁹ is hydrogen, R²⁰¹, COR²⁰¹ or SO₂R²⁰¹; R²⁰¹ is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl with 0-3 substituents selected from the group of halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, phenyl and heterocyclic; R¹⁰, R¹¹ are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, ester, amide, 2-keto acid, 2-keto ester, 2-keto amide, phenyl and heterocyclic, with 0-3 substituents selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, ester, amide, oxalate, oxalamide, phenyl and heterocyclic.
 2. A compound of claim 1 wherein m is
 0. 3. A compound of claim 1 wherein R² is phenyl which is substituted with one halo group.
 4. A compound of claim 3 wherein said halo group is fluoro.
 5. A compound of claim 1 wherein R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ are independently selected from the group of COOR¹⁰¹ and CON(R¹⁰²)(R¹⁰³).
 6. A compound of claim 5 wherein R⁷ is selected from the group of COOR¹⁰¹ and CON(R¹⁰²)(R¹⁰³).
 7. A compound of claim 5 wherein R¹⁰², R¹⁰³ are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, and haloalkyl.
 8. A compound of claim 1 wherein R⁹ is SO₂R²⁰¹.
 9. A compound of claim 1 wherein m is 0, R² is phenyl which is substituted with one fluoro group, and R⁷ is CON(R¹⁰²)(R¹⁰³).
 10. A compound of claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, selected from the group of:


11. A compound of claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, selected from the group of:


12. A composition comprising a compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient and/or diluent.
 13. A composition comprising a compound of claim 10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient and/or diluent.
 14. A composition comprising a compound of claim 11 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient and/or diluent.
 15. A method of treating hepatitis C infection comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1 to a patient.
 16. A method of treating hepatitis C infection comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 10 to a patient.
 17. A method of treating hepatitis C infection comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 11 to a patient. 